N.Z.R.U. To Discuss Ban On Maoris

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30919, 27 November 1965, Page 3

N.Z.R.U. To Discuss Ban On Maoris

(New Zealand Press Association) JOHANNESBURG, November 25. The South African Minister of the Interior, Senator Jan de Klerk, today told the executive of the South African Rugby Board that only a white New Zealand Rugby team could be invited to South Africa. According to the secretary of the board, Mr J. J. de Kock, the board’s executive met the Minister in Pretoria today.

The chairman of the board (Dr. Craven) refused to comment. “It appears certain from this report that the South African Government will not permit Maoris to be included in the New Zealand team that is scheduled to tour South Africa in 1967,” the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union (Mr T. C. Morrison) said today. “This announcement will be a matter of great disappointment to all associated with Rugby. “As stated previously, 1 confirm that when the New Zealand Rugby Union is told officially by the South African board that Maoris cannot be accepted in the New Zealand team, the matter will be discussed at either the annual general meeting of the union or at a special general meeting called for that specific purpose. “This matter will be discus-

sed at the council meeting next Friday. “The union is very aware and most appreciative of the efforts by the South African Rugby Board to have Maoris included in the New Zealand team.” Before leaving Auckland this afternoon for South Africa on “a different matter entirely,” the New Zealand Rugby Union president (Mr T. H. Pearce) would make no comment on the South African Government decision, but said the union would discuss whether the tours would continue sometime in the New Year.